A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation

"You want to learn them all?"

At my words, Jin Hwi looks at me with a disbelief for a moment before stroking his beard.

"Hmm, normally, I would have scolded you for being greedy, but for the Lighting Sacred Body...that might be a different story."

"But… what exactly is the Sacred Lightning Body?"

I ask something I've been curious about for a while.

At that, Jin Hwi kindly explains.

"If the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body is considered to have the quality of 'being loved by all lightning,' then the Sacred Lightning Body is a physique that is 'lightning itself.' It's said to be a physique where lightning has transformed into a human body. Therefore, there are no restrictions in learning all kinds of lightning methods, and the practice speed of lightning methods is much faster than those with ordinary spiritual roots."

"Interesting…."

"In fact, all the lightning methods of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect were created to become our founder, the Golden Deity."

"...?"

Jin Hwi looks at my body, which occasionally sparks with lightning if not controlled, and continues.

"The Heavenly Golden Thunder Body of our ancestor, who aimed to control all the lightning across the Three Thousand Worlds and even sought to grasp the Heavenly Tribulation in his hand…. The beginning of our sect aimed to imitate that Heavenly Golden Thunder Body. Therefore, all the lightning methods in our text are essentially inferior versions of the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body."

Jin Hwi's explanation continues with a self-mocking tone.

"However, the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body is, as the name suggests, a physique out of legends… No matter how much one cultivates lightning methods in a human body, reproducing myths is an absurd idea… But during the revival era of our sect in the ancient times, the Sacred Lightning Body appeared. A legendary constitution indeed, but less fanciful than the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body…. It became a physique that could serve as a bridge for our sect's lightning methods that aimed to imitate the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body."

Snap!

Jin Hwi grabs my shoulder and says with a serious look.

"Your innate Sacred Lightning Body… is a stepping stone for humans to reach the Heavenly Golden Thunder (天上金雷). When the Sacred Lightning Body appeared in our sect back then, our lightning methods, which were once a secretive method only understood by the direct lineage of our ancestor, became accessible to countless disciples, expanding the influence of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. Now that the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body and the Sacred Lightning Body have entered our sect together… your role is crucial going forward."

"I will bear that in mind."

"Originally, I would have discouraged mastering all methods as your master. However, with you and Jeon Myeong-hoon joining the sect, the sect is bound to grow exponentially... So, I will entrust the future to you and give you my permission."

Jin Hwi hands me three books.

Seven Lightning Quaking Scripture, Taiji Quaking Lighting Body, Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple.

I take the three methods and thank Jin Hwi.

Just like how the Azure Heaven Creation Sect has rankings from the Fifth Cloud Disciple to the First Cloud Disciple, the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect also has rankings among disciples, and they wear belts indicating their rank.

The names of the ranks were taken from the most famous method of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, starting from the Seven Lightning Quaking Scripture.

Disciples who had not passed the Seven Stars Ritual are given a belt marked with Red Lightning (赤雷), known as Red Lightning disciples.

Those who passed the Seven Stars Ritual are Vermilion Lightning (朱雷) disciples.

Those who reached the extreme in Qi Refining are Yellow Lightning (黃雷) disciples.

Red, Vermilion, Yellow.

These three ranks are collectively referred to as Lower Lightning (下雷) disciples, responsible for menial tasks within the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. Only those from the Qi Building stage onwards are considered part of the true force of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

Qi Building disciples are Green Lightning (綠雷) disciples, Core Formation disciples are Blue Lightning (靑雷) disciples.

Those who show potential to reach the Nascent Soul stage in Core Formation are considered Indigo Lightning (藍雷) disciples and recognized as Upper Lightning (上雷) disciples, the future of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

Those who reach the Nascent Soul stage are treated as elders and are grouped as Purple Lightning (紫雷), receiving purple belts.

Furthermore, from the Heavenly Being stage elders, a gold belt marked with Golden Lightning (金雷), named after the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, is awarded. Among the few grand elders leading the sect, they receive a white belt marked with Heavenly Lightning (天雷).

Only one or two individuals, including the Supreme Sect Master Jin Byuk-ho, wear the belt of Heavenly Lightning.

I received a green belt from Jin Hwi, symbolizing a Qi Building disciple.

"Considering your talent and the dense heaven and earth spiritual energy of the Bright Cold Realm, reaching the Qi Building stage should be quick. Hence, your rank will be Green Lightning disciple for now."

"Understood."

"And, the three methods I gave you are not for you to learn right now. You need to reach at least Core Formation to attempt those methods. What you will learn next is the Accumulating Lightning Technique, the basic method of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect."

"Yes."

I take the "Accumulating Lightning Technique."

With Jin Hwi's permission, I open the book containing the Accumulating Lightning Technique and also unfold the Seven Lightning Quaking Scripture.

"…Master, this Accumulating Lightning Technique…."

"Yes, it's very similar to the early part of the Seven Lightning Quaking Scripture, isn't it?"

It is.

The Accumulating Lightning Technique is almost identical to the early part of the Seven Lightning Quaking Scripture, the Red Lightning Quaking Scripture.

It's just a slightly simplified version of a few parts of the Red Lightning Quaking Scripture, made understandable for Qi Refining disciples.

When I show confusion, Jin Hwi explains.

"The Seven Lightning Quaking Scripture was personally created by our Ancestor. It's the most crucial method in the 120,000-year history of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. As such, many disciples attempt to master the Seven Lightning Quaking Scripture, and to ensure they don't face difficulties when they later practice the Seven Lightning Quaking Scripture, we modified its initial part to be familiar from the Qi Refining stage. That is what this Accumulating Lightning Technique is."

"I see…"

After spending some time with Jin Hwi, getting explanations regarding the Accumulating Lightning Technique, the Seven Lightning Quaking Scripture, Taiji Quaking Lighting Body, Extinguishing Lightning Inner Heavenly Temple, and receiving a bit more teaching on lightning methods, I return to my assigned cave residence.

Wo-woong!

As I have the Lightning Sacred Body, the cave residence where the best spiritual vein of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect flows is given to me, and I enter deeper into the cave residence to inhale spiritual energy.

"Accumulating Lightning Technique, huh…"

I look into the Accumulating Lightning Technique, the foundation of lightning methods.

Lightning Path Methods are among the most difficult to master of all attribute methods.

Initially, the lightning (雷) attribute is not included in the Five Elements.

The Lightning Path Method is not naturally developed from the Five Elements spiritual roots but only came into existence after the cultivation method system had developed significantly.

Thus, there are two ways for those born with Five Elements spiritual roots to learn the Lightning Path Method.

One either had to be born with Wood (木) attribute spiritual roots, or forcibly cultivate the power of lightning within oneself through the exchange of Yin and Yang.

"For those not born with Wood attribute spiritual roots wanting to learn lightning methods, the exchange of Yin and Yang is essential… However, the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect only finds dual cultivation partners for those who have passed the Seven Stars Ritual."

What does that mean?

It means that cultivators in the lower realms who have not passed the Seven Stars Ritual have to find a way to facilitate the exchange of Yin and Yang within their own bodies or forcefully draw in lightning power from the outside.

How to draw in lightning power from the outside?

It's simple.

Either consume a large amount of elixirs with lightning properties, undergo lightning torture by seniors, or stand in areas where lightning strikes to be hit by lightning directly.

Naturally, all three methods require either a significant amount of resources or risking one's life.

Therefore, many cultivators of the Red Lightning rank in the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect often chose to pass the Seven Stars Ritual using basic methods sold externally, like the Five Surpassing Paths to Cultivation, before engaging in dual cultivation to learn the sect's methods afterward.

Of course, I don't need to do that.

"Is this the Accumulating Lightning Technique?"

Since I already possess the Five Elements spiritual roots, I can manifest the power of lightning through my Wood attribute spiritual root.

Wood (木) symbolizes thunder/lightning, or Zhen (震), in the Bagua, making me sufficiently qualified.

Tingling, tingling….

As I begin to practice the method, a tingling static electricity rises from the tips of my fingers.

Wo-woong!

I inhale and immediately form the Law-Transformation Dantian.

Inside the dantian, Yin and Yang intertwine, forming the Law-Transformation Dantian of the Qi Gathering stage.

'Then, let's give it a try…'

I qualified to enter the Qi Refining stage.

Wo-woong!

I release the Colorless Glass Swords inside my Inner Core.

Tsst, tsstsstssts!

The cultivation stored in the Colorless Glass Swords through the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections begin to flood back into me.

'Shall I practice the Lightning Path Method?

I also possess Wood attribute spiritual roots.

I have the method to embody the exchange of Yin and Yang on my own through demon beast methods.

Moreover, through the curse of lightning transformation, lightning power is supplied internally rather than externally,

Having repeated the Qi Refining stage several times, the essentials of the Qi Refining stage are deeply ingrained.

Additionally, the cultivation from the last cycle is also stored through the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections in the Colorless Glass Swords….

Crackle, crackle, crackle!

I absorb the dense spiritual energy inside my cave residence, operating the demon beast methods, the Five Surpassing Paths to Cultivation, and the Accumulating Lightning Technique simultaneously.

Crackle!

The lightning of the Accumulating Lightning Technique, which was nothing but a tingling static electricity, amplifies into a visible lightning the moment I begin my cultivation.

Crackle!

Blue lightning surges and writhes above my hands.

"Seventy-Two Spirit Meridians."

In an instant, all seventy-two spirit meridians are activated.

Simultaneously, the Yin and Yang inside the Dantian explodes, and the demon beast method also transforms to correspond to the realm of 1st Star in the Qi Refining stage.

Adding a bit more of the Accumulating Lightning Technique's intricacies to the flow of Yin and Yang of the demon beast method, the energy of the lightning becomes even fiercer.

"Thirty-Six Spiritual Natures."

Thirty-six Spiritual Natures form all over, and the demon beast method grows just as much.

The thickness of the lightning surging from my hands increases even more.

"Twelve Earthly Branches."

Twelve types of spiritual waves existing in spiritual energy are caught in my grasp.

"Ten Heavenly Stems."

Ten changes of spiritual energy guides the spiritual power.

"Nine Palaces, Eight Trigrams."

I quickly pass the stages of the Nine Palaces and the Complete Eight Trigrams.

In an instant, I reached the 6th Star of Qi Refining stage.

To proceed to the 7th Star of Qi Refining, it's necessary to align with the celestial energy and auspicious timing.

However,

The demon beast method inside my body continues to rise, causing Yin and Yang to collide.

As a result, the lightning power of the Accumulating Lightning Technique becomes even fiercer. At some point, the collision of Yin and Yang reaches its peak.

Boom!

Pop!

My dantian explodes.

Not figuratively, but literally. Blood spurts from my lower abdomen and blood gushes from my mouth.

Demon beast methods are very simple.

It's literally just about repeatedly causing the explosion of Yin and Yang energy inside the dantian.

Then, are demon beast methods, the Earth Tribe method, any less difficult than the Heaven Tribe method?

Absolutely not.

Such is the nature of the demon beast method. if the body cannot endure, it explodes and leads to death.

Only the strong survive to become stronger.

If the Heaven Tribe method is about offering rituals to the heavens to permit cultivation,

The Earth Tribe method involves burning oneself. If you survive, you were granted permission by the world. If you die, you were not granted permission. A survival of the fittest approach.

Of course,

Tsst, tsstsstssts!

I quickly activate the Formless Sword, summoning it in the form of threads to quickly seal the wounds with my medical knowledge, regenerating with spiritual energy.

The exploded energy of the demon beast method turns into pure life force, aiding in regeneration.

'I need to explode a few more times.'

Both Heaven Tribe and Earth Tribe methods are always a critical point at the 7th Star.

While the Heaven Tribe method requires aligning with the heavenly timing, the Earth Tribe method, having nothing to do with timing, measures pure luck and physical strength. In some ways, it is arguably more challenging than Heaven Tribe methods.

Boom!

Boom! Boom!

Pop, pop, pop!

Only after my lower abdomen burst open several times was I barely able to surpass the Qi Refining 7th Star.

"Phew…"

The demon beast method doesn't need auspicious timing.

But if I had practiced the demon beast method during my Qi Refining days, could I have easily passed the 7th Star?

'I probably would have died without properly responding to the explosion.'

Of course, it's good to know that if you get the hang of it, you can surpass the Qi Refining 7th Star without any rituals.

'I'll perform the ritual for the Heaven Tribe method later…'

Boom, boom! Boom!

I continue to operate the demon beast method, regaining my cultivation.

Tsst, tsstsstsstss!

The Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method, which I modified through the Vast Cold Formula into a demon beast method, gradually emits blue light, dyeing my body.

Boom!

Finally, I instantly recover to the peak stage of Qi Refining.

Wo-woong!

What was once my Inner Core has now become a Demon Core, swollen with pure life force.

Wo-woong!

I explode the Demon Core again, raising my state to just before entering the Qi Building stage. After cleaning up my blood-stained clothes and changing, I head outside.

The various locations of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect are in the process of replacing the buildings used previously at Thunder Cloud Peak, mounting the halls of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect brought up from the lower realm onto various mountain peaks.

Now, connecting these halls to the spiritual veins flowing through the mountain peaks and activating the sect's grand array formation will finally complete the proper establishment of the sect.

I quickly use the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts to hide my presence and then fly to a secluded area of Thunder Spirit Island using the Formless Sword.

Previously, I had been afraid to use the Formless Sword because the Administrator of Sky Island is watching.

However, after having a conversation with Jang Ik in the Astral Realm and discussing the Integration stage Grand Cultivator Wi Ryeong-seon, who monitors the human territory everywhere within the Human Race Grand Alliance, I learned that Wi Ryeong-seon's detection ability is not absolute. Instead, using my Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts, I would definitely not be detected by him.

'That's why, when I snuck into Thunder Spirit Island to steal the Heavenly Lightning Banner during my 15th cycle using the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts, Wi Ryeong-seon couldn't detect me.'

After finding a suitable mountain peak on Thunder Spirit Island, I absorb the cultivation stored in the Colorless Glass Sword and the surrounding heaven and earth spiritual energy.

Kugugugu!

Instantly, the sky wavers and dark clouds gather around.

Kurung!

The Demon Core operates the spiritual energy as if it's going to explode.

'Break it.'

How does the Demon Race ascend to the Qi Building stage?

By devouring a massive amount of spiritual energy and then exploding it all at once within the Demon Core.

Naturally, an explosion strong enough to shatter the Demon Core occurs.

From there, if the shattered Demon Core is reconstituted, activating all of the spiritual meridians throughout the body and firmly connecting them to the Demon Core, one ascends to the Qi Building stage.

If it fails, the demon beast loses all their cultivation and turns into a regular beast.

Kwaang!

Without hesitation, I shatter the Demon Core.

The spiritual power forming the Demon Core disperses throughout my blood vessels.

Circulating inside arteries and veins, red and blue, aligning the cycle of Yin and Yang.

Yin in the veins, Yang in the arteries.

And all the Yin and Yang energies meet again in the heart, that is, the middle dantian.

Kugugugu!

My heart swells as if it's about to burst, and just before it explodes,

I send all the energy gathered in the middle dantian down to the lower dantian.

'Gather!'

Gather the energy, condense it!

Tsst, tsstsstssts!

The flow of Yin and Yang intertwines again in the lower dantian, beginning to form a solid 'Demon Core.'

Simultaneously, my internal energy, which had been somewhat confused with spiritual power, transforms into definite 'demonic power,' enriching my body with vitality.

Wo-woong!

Yin and Yang energies extending from the Demon Core circulate through the arteries and veins in my body, gathering in the heart, and the demonic power of primordial chaos collected in the heart returns to the Demon Core.

The Core (丹) fully connects with the flesh (肉).

This energy, a fusion of spiritual energy and life force, is precisely demonic power (妖力)!

At the same time, a streak of blue lightning from the sky flies towards me.

Under normal circumstances, I would have cut the blue lightning with the Formless Sword.

However, I operate the Accumulating Lightning Technique and open all the pores in my body towards the sky.

'Absorb.'

Crackle!

A tremendous amount of lightning power accumulates in the dantian.

I cannot directly convert it into spiritual power without passing the Seven Stars Ritual, but I can hold it with the Accumulating Lightning Technique.

Once I pass the Seven Stars Ritual, this immense power of Tribulation Lightning can be immediately converted into cultivation, and the Heaven Tribe method can also be swiftly elevated to the peak Qi Refining stage.

'It's not over yet.'

Further on.

Kurung, kurung, kurung!

Yin and Yang continue to collide.

My realm, which had reached the early stages of Qi Building, consumes the cultivation stored in the Colorless Glass Sword and once again reaches Grand Perfection of Qi Building.

'Explode!'

Kwaang!

The explosion of ascending to the Core Formation stage is incomparable to the explosion of ascending to Qi Building.

Ascending to Qi Building merely requires shattering the Demon Core, but ascending to Core Formation demands a much more powerful explosion.

While losing the Demon Core in Qi Building merely results in losing cultivation and reverting to a beast, exploding the Demon Core when reaching Core Formation will likely result in fatal injuries, such that even if one reverts to a beast, they live with disabilities.

Wo-woong!

However, I create a Gang Sphere inside the Demon Core again and reform my Inner Core.

The Inner Core, situated at the center of the Demon Core, will help mitigate the explosive force.

'Go!'

The blue light of the Azure Spirit Striking Origin Technique, the starlight of the Starlight Protecting Void Body, and the multicolored light of the Five Elements Enduring Origin Scripture shine within the Demon Core.

Boom!

A gush of blood flows from my mouth.

But...

'It's done.'

I can handle this level of shock.

The exploded Demon Core sweeps through the blood vessels again.

Yin and Yang energies, divided into veins and arteries, gather in the heart.

But when reaching Core Formation, it does not go down to the lower dantian.

'Rise.'

Tsst, tsstsstssts!

The tremendous demonic power gathered in the heart heads towards the upper dantian.

Thus, by fully activating the upper dantian, spiritual meridians are generated in every part of the upper, middle, and lower dantians of the demon race.

'And again…'

When demonic power is instilled in the upper dantian, the energy is sent back down to the lower dantian.

In this way, the upper, middle, and lower dantians are tightly interconnected, resulting in a much stronger and more robust Demon Core than before.

This is the Demon Race's Core Formation stage.

Kururung!

Once again, I reach out my hand towards the Heavenly Lightning flying towards me.

I want to absorb it with the Accumulating Lightning Technique, but I have already exceeded the limit of what can be absorbed with it.

Licking my lips, I split the Heavenly Lightning.

'Then, for the last time…'

Kwaang!

Even in the Core Formation stage, I do not stop and continue to absorb the cultivation stored in the Colorless Glass Sword.

Kwaang!

And finally, at a certain moment.

Tsst, tsstsstssts!

My consciousness begins to compress into a form identical to myself.

The compressed consciousness enters my body and begins to settle inside the Demon Core.

Inside the dark clouds, along with the blue lightning, golden lightning wriggles.

Kwurururung!

Dual-colored heavenly lightning strikes down..

Kwajijijik!

Unfazed, I stand up while covered with the Formless Sword, receiving the lightning.

Since I am still using the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts, there is no worry of being detected.

Wo-woong!

After experiencing a rapid flashback,

A baby-shaped consciousness and a conglomerate of demonic power inside my body,

A Nascent Soul is born, and I open my eyes and look up at the sky.

Peeit!

Phwak!

Then, as I leap towards the sky, my body cuts through the dual-colored lightning and pierces the dark clouds to reach above them.

"Phew…"

Around me, 3,000 Colorless Glass Swords follow me up.

The power of the Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method, modified into a demon beast method, swirls beneath me like Yin and Yang.

Wo-woong!

I retract the Colorless Glass Swords back into the Demon Core and smile.

"Nascent Soul staged, recovered."

How many times have I repeated the process of recovering my cultivation?

Now, in the case of the Earth Tribe method, which requires only the sacrifice of the body without any procedure.

As long as I have the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections and the Colorless Glass Swords to store cultivation, I can always recover my realm.

"In this life, I will definitely reach the Heavenly Being stage."

One day into joining the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

I reaffirm my goal after recovering to the Nascent Soul Stage.